Jagger's Choice (Ruthless Sinners MC 7)

“Certainly hope you’re right.”

“I am. You’ll see.”

The next couple of days were agony. Thankfully, I had my sessions with Sophie to help me through it. I honestly didn’t give two shits about delving into my deep, dark thoughts with her, but after being locked up for months on end, it didn’t entirely suck to spend a little time with a beautiful woman.

As soon as I sat down in front of her, she gave me one of her slight smiles and tucked a strand of her jet-black hair behind her ear. Pretending to be all business, she pulled out my file and said, “So, how are you making it today?”

“Better now.”

Sophie Grace was in her early thirties, which made her a couple of years older than me, but there was an innocence about her, making her seem much younger. She was wearing a snug-fitting turtleneck that hugged her breasts in just the right way with a pair of dark jeans and boots, and her glasses sat lower on the bridge of her nose, making her look like my next wet dream.

“I gotta say, Doc, you’re looking mighty good this afternoon. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you got all dolled up just for me.”

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but I’ve had several clients today.”

“So? Doesn’t change the fact that you got dolled up for me.” I winked at her, then said, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

“You need to stop.”

“What?” I had to give it to her. Sophie tried to keep things on a professional level, but over the past few weeks, it hadn’t been easy. We’d both shared stories and had gotten closer, and there was no denying the unexpected connection between us. She tried to pretend she didn’t feel it, worried about putting her career in jeopardy, but she had nothing to fret about. The brothers knew how to keep a secret, so I made sure to goad her every chance I got. I leaned towards her. “I’m just making idle conversation.”

“Mm-hmm. You need to behave yourself, Mr. Hughes.” Her hazel eyes skated over me, and she let out a deep breath. Doing her best to stay professional, she cleared her throat and said, “During our last few sessions, we talked about recognizing the warning signs you experience when your anger is triggered and how acknowledging those warning signs can help you improve your response to that anger.”

“Mm-hmm. We did.”

“We also discussed how important it is for you to use coping strategies when you feel like the anger is getting out of control.”

“I remember.” I studied her for a moment, then asked, “There a reason why you feel the need to give me a recap?”

“I just want to make sure you’re ready to face the world again.” Concern marked her expression. “You know, for when you get your parole.”

“I like your confidence, Doc, but you don’t have to worry. I’m more than ready to get outta here.”

“So, you aren’t apprehensive about going back to your old life?”

“What do I have to be apprehensive about?”

“A lot can change in three years.” She clicked her pen, then dropped it down on the table. “When you get home, things won’t be exactly the way they were when you were imprisoned.”

“Maybe not, but the club and my brothers will still be there waiting for me.” I gave her a nonchalant shrug as I leaned back in my chair. “That’s the only thing that matters to me.”

“Your brothers seem to be a very important part of your life.”

“That’s because they are. I wouldn’t have made it through these past few years if it hadn’t been for them.” I thought back to all the times they’d come by to see me. I’d told them not to waste their time, but they never forgot me—especially Menace. It seemed, every time the doors opened, he’d be there waiting to spend as much time as he could making sure I was doing okay and filling me in on everything that had been going on with the club. There was no way I could explain exactly what they meant to me, so I simply said, “Like I told you before, they’re my family.”

“Yes, I remember.” She glanced down at her notepad before adding, “But they aren’t your own family. You also have a sister.”

“I’m well aware,” I grumbled under my breath as I remembered the night Stacey had called me for help. She never intended for me to get in any trouble. She just wanted some help with her asshole boyfriend, only I ended up taking things too fucking far. For years, I didn’t hear from her. I figured she was pissed that I killed her boyfriend, but when she finally came to the prison and talked to me, I discovered it was her own guilt that had kept her away. That very guilt had pushed her to straighten up her life and get off the drugs. She’d gotten a job, a new place, and was on her way to being the person I always knew she could be. I looked back to Sophie and said, “Yeah, she’s still family.”